System and method for achieving controlled movement of at least one magnet

ABSTRACT

System for achieving controlled movement of at least one first magnet. The movement is caused by a repulsive force from at least one second magnet. Before movement of the first magnet, the magnet and one of the at least one second magnets are aligned in such a way that a line E-E running through both centers C, D of the magnets, is not perpendicular to the magnetic axis A-A, B-B of any of the magnets. A method for controlled movement of at least one first magnet includes aligning the at least one first magnet and the at least one second magnet in such a way that a line E-E running through both centers C, D of the magnets, are not perpendicular to the magnetic axis A-A, B-B of the magnets. The magnets are aligned close to each other while they are retained, and the first magnet is released.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates a system and a method for controlling the trajectory of a playing piece using magnets.

Conventional tabletop games such as air hockey and shuffleboard have been around for a long time, and they usually consist of one or more movable components that are manipulated by a player in an arena of play. In shuffleboard and similar tabletop games a shooting device can be used to position a puck on the playing area. The shooting device may be configured with a magnet proximate to a chamber where a magnetic puck is to be placed. The magnets of the shooting device and magnetic puck will repel each other. A player will place the puck in the chamber in the shooting device and due to magnet repulsion the puck will move across the playing area. The speed of the puck will be controlled by the proximity to the magnet in the shooting device.

In an existing implementation of such magnetic shooting devices there is a problem related to wobbling and uncontrolled movement of the magnetic puck after release. Thus there is an object of the present invention to provide a system and a method for controlled movement of a magnet in a playing piece after it has been repelled by another magnet.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is related to a system for achieving controlled movement of a playing piece comprising at least one first magnet, wherein the movement is caused by a repulsive force from at least one second magnet. Before the movement of the first magnet, the first magnet and a second magnet are aligned in such a way that a line running through both centers of the magnets, is not perpendicular to the magnetic axis of any of the magnets.

By “magnetic axis” it is herein meant a straight line joining the two poles of a magnet. By “center of the magnet” it is herein meant a point along the magnetic axis, being in equal distance from both the magnetic poles.

This means that if the magnets are placed on a common basis, such as a table or playing board, a distance from the basis to a center of the first magnet is different than a distance from the same basis to a center of the second magnet. This may be achieved in many ways, for instance may the magnets have different size. Another way of achieving this is to encapsulate the magnets in non-magnetic material, wherein the encapsulation is non-symmetrical.

In a preferred embodiment the magnets are axially magnetized and the magnetic axes of the first and second magnet are parallel to each other. If there are several second magnets they should have the same size and be arranged in such a way that their magnetic axes are parallel, and the same plane should be running through the bottom of all second magnets.

It should be understood when discussing magnets, that this can be any type of magnetic device, like permanent magnets, temporary magnets or other device that emits electromagnetic fields suitable to create the repulsion between two objects as described in the invention.

Further, when discussing repulsive force between magnets, a person skilled in the art would know how to arrange the magnets, and normally a north pole will repel the north pole of another magnet. When referring to the movement being a result of this repulsive force, it should be understood that both magnets will move as the repulsive force is mutual. In relation to this patent application, of clarity issues, it is only referred to the movement of the first magnet but of course both magnets may move, or only the second magnet may move, depending on whether the first or second magnet is prevented from moving.

In the system according to the invention, a line running through the center of the first magnet and the center of the second magnet may, not be perpendicular to the magnetic axis of any of the magnets. If the line running through both centers is perpendicular to at least one of the magnetic axes, the movement of the first magnet may be uncontrolled wobbling, which is not desired.

Further, the distance from the center of the second magnet to a common basis of the magnets, is larger than a distance from the center of the first magnet to the basis, for achieving a movement parallel to the common basis.

Alternatively, the distance from the center of the first magnet to a common basis of the magnets, is larger than the distance from the center of the second magnet to the basis, for achieving a movement not parallel to the common basis.

The first magnet or magnets, and the second magnet or magnets may be encapsulated in a non-magnetic material, and the encapsulations are preferably non-symmetrical. The encapsulation may be thicker on one side of the magnet, and thus the necessary displacement of the center of the magnet may for instance be achieved by the encapsulation.

Further, two or more second magnets may be enclosed by the same non-magnetic material in such a way that the magnets become one piece.

The invention also comprises a method to achieve controlled movement of a playing piece comprising at least one first magnet, wherein the movement is caused by a repulsive force from at least one second magnet. The method comprises the steps of

-   -   aligning the at least one first magnet, and the at least one         second magnet in such a way that a line running through both         centers of the magnets, is not perpendicular to the magnetic         axis of any of the magnets,     -   placing the magnets close to each other while retaining the         magnets, and     -   releasing the first magnet.

To achieve a movement parallel to a common basis of the magnets, the at least one first magnet, and the at least one second magnet should be aligned in such a way that the distance from the center of the second magnet to the basis, is larger than the distance from the center of the first magnet to the basis.

To achieve a movement not parallel to a common basis of the magnets, the at least one first magnet, and the at least one second magnet should be aligned in such a way that the distance from the center of the first magnet to the basis, is larger than the distance from the center of the second magnet to the basis.

In the following we will describe the invention by reference to use in a game where the first magnet is to be moved to reach a target, and where the system according to the present invention may be used to achieve a controlled movement of a playing piece containing a first magnet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a game comprising a shooting device and playing pieces according to an embodiment of the invention, the shooting device and playing pieces are shown in horizontal cross section

FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross sectional view of another embodiment of a shooting device and playing piece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described with the help of the enclosed figures, showing a principle diagram of a system according to the present invention. The different parts of the figure are not necessarily in scale to each other, as the figure is merely for illustrating the invention.

The following description of an exemplary embodiment refers to the figures, and the following detailed description is not meant or intended to limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

The following disclosure describes preferred embodiments and possible configurations for controlling the movement and trajectory of a playing piece.

Many of the details, dimensions, angles and other features shown in the figures are merely illustrative for particular embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments can have other details, dimensions, angles and other features without departing from scope of the present invention. Furthermore, additional embodiments of the invention can be practiced without several details described below.

In the figures, identical reference numbers identify identical or at least generally similar elements.

FIG. 1 shows a playing area 102 used to play a game using a shooting device 100 including second magnets 103, 104, 105 and playing pieces 101 each including a first magnet 108 according to the invention. The playing area 102 can be any surface e.g. table. There is placed at least one shooting device 100 on the playing area 102. The shooting device 100 may be freely moved. On the playing area 102 any number including zero of playing pieces 101 can be placed prior to a game, in the shown embodiment three playing pieces are shown. In addition there can be distributed magnetic and non-magnetic pieces (not shown) on the playing area 102 prior to a game, forming obstacles or other gaming effects. The playing area 102 may further be provided with other pieces, drawn lines, edges or other similar types of marking.

A shooting device 100 has in this embodiment three magnets 103, 104, 105, enclosed by a non-magnetic material 106 and designed in such a way that the shooting device has a cavity 107 formed to accommodate a playing piece 101. A playing piece 101 in this embodiment has one magnet 108 enclosed by a non-magnetic material 109. The magnets in the shooting device 100 and the magnet in a playing piece 101 are arranged on the playing area to repel each other. In the shown embodiment a playing piece 101 is held in the cavity 107 of the shooting device 100 and is ready to be released. In other embodiments the shooting device 100 can have fewer or more magnets than indicated. The cavity 107 in the shooting device 100 can be larger, missing or having a different shape.

FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross sectional view of another embodiment of a first and second magnet of the invention, arranged to achieve a controlled movement of the first magnet. Shown in FIG. 2 is an embodiment of a playing piece 200 with a first magnet 202 and a shooting device 203 with a second magnet 204, wherein the playing piece 200 and shooting device 203 are arranged on a common basis 206, in such a way that the magnets 204, 204 will repel each other. A magnetic axis indicated by a line A-A of the first magnet 200, and a magnetic axis indicated by a line B-B of the second magnet 204 are arranged parallel to each other. In this embodiment the first magnet 202 in the playing piece 200 is encapsulated in a non-magnetic material 201. The second magnet 204 in the shooting device 203 is encapsulated in a non-magnetic material 205.

The center C of the first magnet is a point along the magnetic axis A-A, being in equal distance from both the magnetic poles. The center D of the second magnet is a point along the magnetic axis B-B, being in equal distance from both the magnetic poles. The playing piece 200 and the shooting device 203 are arranged in such a way that a line E-E drawn through the center C of the first magnet 202 and the center D of the second magnet 204 is not perpendicular to any of the magnetic axes A-A or B-B. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, this is achieved in that the encapsulation 201, 205 of the magnets are not symmetrical, and the first magnet 201 is arranged having the thinner layer of encapsulation facing the common basis 206, and the second magnet 203 is arranged having the thicker layer of encapsulation facing the common basis. The center C of the first magnet 202 and the center D of the second magnet will thus have different distance to the common basis 206.

In the shown preferred embodiments the first magnet 202 of the playing piece 200 and the second magnet 204 of the shooting device 203 are the same type magnet, being neodymium magnets having a diameter of 20 mm and a thickness of 2 mm. The non-magnetic material 201, 205 encapsulating the first magnet 202 and the second magnet 204 are plastic. By having different thickness of encapsulation between the first magnet 202 and the common basis, and between the second magnet 204 and the common basis 206, the desired arrangement of the magnets giving the line E-E not being perpendicular to any of the magnetic axes is achieved. The shooting device 203 and the playing piece 200 are aligned and retained close to each other. When the playing piece 200 is released it will move parallel to the common basis 206.

In another (not shown) embodiment, the playing piece 200 and the shooting device 203 can be a combination of magnets with or without encapsulation. The desired arrangement of the magnets giving the line E-E not being perpendicular to the magnetic axis may be achieved by using a first magnet 202 and a second magnet 204 of different size, or combinations of encapsulation and size, and any other combinations or properties of the first magnet 202 and the second magnet 204 being obvious to a person skilled in the art. 

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A system for achieving controlled movement of at least one first magnet (108; 202), wherein the movement is caused by a repulsive force from at least one second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204), comprising maintaining the first magnet in alignment with one of the at least one second magnets (103, 104, 105; 204) such that a line (E-E) running through both centers (C, D) of the magnets, is not perpendicular to the magnetic axis (A-A, B-B) of any of the magnets prior to movement of the first magnet (108; 202).
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first magnet and one of the at least one second magnets (103, 104, 105; 204) are aligned on a common basis (102; 206) in such a way that a distance from the basis (102; 206) to a center (C) of the first magnet (108; 202) is different than a distance from the same basis to a center (D) of the second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204) prior to movement of the first magnet (108; 202).
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein a distance from the center (D) of the second magnet (204) to a common basis (206) of the magnets, is larger than a distance from the center (C) of the first magnet (202) to the common basis, for achieving a movement parallel to the basis.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein a distance from the center (C) of the first magnet (202) to a common basis (206) of the magnets is larger than the distance from the center (D) of the second magnet (204) to the common basis, for achieving a movement not parallel to the basis.
 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one first magnet (108; 202) and at least one second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204) are encapsulated with a non-magnetic material to form an encapsulation on each of the at least one first magnet and at least one second magnet.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the encapsulation on at least one first magnet (108; 202) and at least one second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204) is not symmetrical.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein at least two second magnets (103, 104, 105) are encapsulated by the same material (106) such that the at least two second magnets are encapsulated in a singular piece (100).
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein at least two second magnets (103, 104, 105) are encapsulated by the same material (106) such that the at least two second magnets are encapsulated in a singular piece (100).
 19. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one first magnet (108; 202) and at least one second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204) are encapsulated with a non-magnetic material to form an encapsulation on each of the at least one first magnet and at least one second magnet.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the encapsulation on at least one first magnet (108; 202) and at least one second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204) is not symmetrical.
 21. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one first magnet (108; 202) and at least one second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204) are encapsulated with a non-magnetic material to form an encapsulation on each of the at least one first magnet and at least one second magnet.
 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the encapsulation on at least one first magnet (108; 202) and at least one second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204) is not symmetrical.
 23. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one first magnet (108; 202) and at least one second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204) are encapsulated with a non-magnetic material to form an encapsulation on each of the at least one first magnet and at least one second magnet.
 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the encapsulation on at least one first magnet (108; 202) and at least one second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204) is not symmetrical.
 25. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one first magnet (108; 202) and at least one second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204) are encapsulated with a non-magnetic material to form an encapsulation on each of the at least one first magnet and at least one second magnet.
 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the encapsulation on at least one first magnet (108; 202) and at least one second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204) is not symmetrical.
 27. A method for controlling movement of at least one first magnet (108; 202), wherein the movement is caused by a repulsive force from at least one second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204), comprising the following steps: aligning the at least one first magnet (108; 202), and the at least one second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204) such that a line (E-E) running through a center (C) of the first magnet and a center (D) of the second magnet, is not perpendicular to the magnetic axes (A-A, B-B) of any of the magnets, placing the at least one first magnet (108; 202) in close proximity to the at least one second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204) while retaining the respective magnets, and releasing the first magnet (108, 202).
 28. The method of claim 27, comprising: aligning the at least one first magnet (108; 202), and the at least one second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204) on a common basis (102; 206) such that a distance from the center (D) of the second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204) to the basis (102; 206) is larger than a distance from the center (C) of the first magnet (108; 202) to the basis (102; 206), thereby achieving a movement parallel to said common basis (102; 206).
 29. The method of claim 27, comprising: aligning the at least one first magnet (108; 202) and the at least one second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204) on a common basis (102; 206) such that a distance from the center (C) of the first magnet (108; 202) to the basis (102; 206), is larger than a distance from the center (D) of the second magnet (103, 104, 105; 204) to the basis, thereby achieving a movement not parallel the common basis (102; 206),
 30. A method of playing a game, comprising the steps of claim 27, wherein the first magnet is to be moved to reach a target. 